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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you want higher comfort, especially during long calls or meetings, and better microphone quality for clearer conversations, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless are a great choice, and they also offer significantly longer battery life. However, if your priority is listening to music with a more immersive soundstage, the Beats Solo 3 could be more to your liking, but they are less comfortable for extended wear and have shorter battery life. Neither are ideal for gaming or TV due to latency issues, and while both are suitable for portable use, neither is particularly optimized for exercise. The Beats Solo 3 are generally the more expensive option, so if budget is a consideration, bearing in mind the JLab's advantages like comfort and battery may tilt your decision in their favor. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the JLab JBuds Work Wireless.
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
6.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Beats Solo 3 are both only fair for music, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.3
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
60.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$79
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 60 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | February 2022
"The JLab JBuds Work is an affordable headset-headphone hybrid that you can use to listen to music in stereo and communicate on video calls thanks to a retractable boom mic, and we particularly like its convenient mono and passive wired modes. You won't find any frills here like you will with the costlier Jabra Evolve2 65 or Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC, but for less than half the price, the JBuds Work is an effective lower-cost alternative."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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